BTR-97 Raider

BTR-98 Raider
File:SBR-98 1123122.png A BTR-97 Raider ICV version with 30 mm autocannon.
Type	Armoured personnel carrier
Place of origin	Stasnov
Service history
In service	2008-present
Used by	see users
Production history
Designer	Malikov Vehicle Design Corporation
Designed	1998
Manufacturer	Borkov Armaments Industries
Produced	2004-present
Specifications
Weight	Varies
Length	7 m
Width	3 m
Height	2.9 m
Crew	3 (+8 passengers)
Armor	Up to NATO level 5 STANAG 4569
Main armament	x4 2M014M Rapira-A (on BTR-97) or UTP-96L 125 mm smoothbore gun (on BTR-97MGS)
Secondary armament	2B30 30 mm autocannon or AG-30M 30 mm Grenade Launcer (both on BTR-97), 12,7 mm Kord (on BTR-97MGS), 7,62 mm PKMT (on BTR-97)
Engine	E-550 550 hp
Suspension	Wheeled 8×8
Operational range	800 km
Speed	100 km/h, 9 km/h swimming

The BTR-98 Raider (Russian: Стасновский бронетранспортер, 'Stasnovan Personnel Carrier') is a Stasnovan is a 8x8 wheeled armoured personnel carrier (APC) designed in Stasnov by the Malikov Vehicle Design Corporation and manufactured by Borkov Armaments Industries under contract of the Stasnovan Armed Forces.

Development

The developement of the BTR-97 raider started in 1997, to operate along newer wheeled APCs in Stasnovan service, like the BTR-90, and eventually replace aging vehicles of the SRA, like the BTR-80. The development of the BTR-97 was carried out by Malikov Vehicle Design Corporation, a worker-run and owned corporation based in Berezenka. It is one of the few vehicles of the Stasnovan Armed Forces that weren't designed by a state-owned company, the Tormavkovo Mozhaev Military Design Bureau in particular. The first prototype was completed and displayed to the public in 1999. The vehicle was intended for the use of mechanized (Motor Rifle) units of the Stasnovan Revolutionary Army as well as marine (Naval Infantry) units of the Stasnovan Revolutionary Navy, as a vehicle for, among others, fire support, transportation of personnel, surveillance, reconnaissance, and patrolling tasks.

Design

Armament

The main armament of the standard APC version of the Raider consists of four powerful 2M014M Rapira-A guided anti-tank missile launchers mounted, with two mounted on each side of the turret. The 2M014M Rapira-A. ATGMs are capable of accurately engaging targets at ranges of 10 to 12 kms, and has fire-and-froget capability and is capable of both top and regural attack. This gives the Raider a significat anti-Armor capability.

The secondary armament of the standard APC version consists of one 2B30 30mm autocannon (the same gun used on the GBM-15 Medved), which is capable of firing armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot (APFSDS), high explosive incendiary (HEI), high explosive fragmentation tracer round (HE-T) armour piercing (AP) and depleted uranium (DU) rounds and has en effective range of 3,100 metres . The gunner can select to rates of fire, low (200 to 300 rds/min) and high (550 to 800 rds/min). Furthermore, the Raider also has a 7.62mm PKMT MMG.

The alternative option for a seconadry armament is the AG-30M automatic grenade launcher. The AGS-30 can engage targets at about 2100 metres, with a rate of fire of 400 round/min. Recoil is lessened with a much smoother grenade ejection mechanism than its predecessor, the AGS-17.

The SBR-98MGS is armed with a UTP-96L 125 mm smoothbore gun, a lightweight version of the gun mounted on the PRB-93A and a 12.7 mm Kord HMG. The UTP-96L also features a muzzle brake to assist with recoil and an autoloader, a usual feature on tank guns in Stasnovan Service. The BTR-97MGS is used as a hightly mobile tank destroyer and a direct fire support platform for infantry. The SBR-98MGS is also equipped with a 12.7 Kord HMG.

Protections

Depending on the configuration, the Raider has up to 5 levels of ballistic protection. It is protected against 25 mm armor-piercing projectiles. It is also equipped with CBRN protection against weapons of mass destruction. The Stena Soft-Kill Active Protection System and laser warning devices can also be installed. The Raider can be equipped with reactive armor and slat armor.

A BTR-97 ICV of the 25th Guards Motor Rifle Division in Vastava.

Its combat tires are capable of enduring anti-personnel mine explosions and small arms fire. If the vehicle is damaged while afloat, a drainage system is capable of removing incoming water. Some versions of the SBR-98 have been retrofitted with double V-Hulls. The Raider also features an automatic fire fighting system, and a system for remote laying of smoke screens. The smoke discharge system includes six smoke grenade launchers, three on each side of the vehicle.

Variants

Each variant of the BTR-97 Raider can be air dropped.

• BTR-97 : Armored personnel carrier version that provides protected transport for 3 crew and a 8 man infantry squad, and can support dismounted infantry. It is armed with a 2B30 30mm autocannon, an AGS-30 30 mm automatic grenade launcher, a PKMT 7.62 MMG and and two 2M014M Rapira-A ATGM launchers.

• BTR-97RV : Recon version used by Recon Companies, moving throughout the battlefield to gather and transmit real time intelligence/surveillance for situational awareness. The RV's purpose is to anticipate and avert threats, improving the brigade's decisiveness and freedom of maneuver.

• BTR-97MGS : Mobile Gun System version armed with a UTP-96L 125 mm smoothbore gun, a lightweight version of the gun mounted on the PRB-93A and a 12.7 mm Kord HMG. The UTP-96L also features a muzzle brake to assist with recoil and an autoloader, a usual feature on tank guns in Stasnovan Service. The main gun provides direct fire in support of infantry, engaging stationary and mobile enemy targets, such as bunkers to create a combined arms effect of overmatched firepower that improves survivability of the combat team. The BTR-97MGS can fire one of its 17 ready 125 mm shells every 7 seconds, and carries 1,000 rounds of 12,7 mm. This version lacks the troop carrying capability.
  File:SBR-98GS 1.png

  A SBR-98MGS

• BTR-97MC : Mortar Carrier version armed with 2B11 Sani 120 mm Mortar that supports infantry with screening obscurants, suppressive forces and on-call supporting fires (HE, illumination, IR illumination, smoke, precision guided, and DPICM cluster bombs). Precision Guided Mortar Munition (PGMM) attacks point targets at extended ranges with GPS guidance. Organic mortars provide responsive fire support to the maneuver commander and are an ideal system for indirect fire in complex terrain. This version lacks the troop carrying capability.

• BTR-97K : Command Vehicle version that provides commanders with communication, data, and control functions to analyze and prepare information for combat missions; can also link to aircraft antenna/power for planning missions while en route aboard aircraft. Situational awareness helps commanders to coordinate widely dispersed mobile units against decisive enemy points.

• BTR-97EV : Enginner Combat Vehicle version that provides mobility and limited counter mobility support. Integrated into the SBR-98EV are obstacle neutralization and lane marking systems and mine detection devices. The SBR-98EV with its attachments provides a partial solution to the obstacle clearance role, primarily for clearance of hastily emplaced mines on hard surfaces and rubble, plus will enable the Engineer squad to control future robotic based systems.

• BTR-97MEV : Medical Evacuation Vehicle version, that is the en route care platform for Regimental units, part of the battalion aid station, providing treatment for serious injury and advanced trauma as an integrated part of the internetted combat forward formation. attendant's seat that will allow the attendant to change position and visually monitor all patients while the vehicle is in motion. Medical personnel must be seated for safety while the vehicle is in motion, but able to visually monitor patients. Geneva Convention markings can be masked/removed as required.

• BTR-97TD : Tank Destroyer version, armed with the 92M014M Rapira-M (upgraded variant of the Rapira-A), ATGM to reinforce the Regiment's infantry and reconnaissance, providing long-range anti-tank fires against armor beyond tank gun effective range. The separate anti-tank company can also be used to shape the battlefield, reinforce the infantry battalions and reconnaissance squadron (e.g. counter-reconnaissance), serve as a reserve, and of course may counterattack. Vehicle commander independently locates secondary targets while gunner is engaging the primary. The SBR-98TD carries two 92M014M Rapira-M missiles on launch rails, which are extended from a stowed position, the radar is also stowed during transit. Missiles are re-loaded automatically by the tank destroyer from an internal magazine with 15 rounds (missiles are stored and transported in sealed canisters) and can also accept munitions manually loaded from outside the vehicle. . A vehicle commander, gunner, loader, and driver operate the ATGM in a tactical environment and to carry equipment if the missile launcher is used in a dismounted mode. This version lacks the troop carrying capability.

Operators

• Stasnov: The Stasnovan Armed Forces operate 3,140 BTR-97 and its variants. In total about 7,000 - 8,500 are scheduled to be produced for Stasnovan service.
• Brytene: The Confederate Brytisc Fleet operates all BTR-97 variants, except the BTR-97TD and BTR-97MGS, as reservist units. The Brytisc Gendarmerie also uses modified BTR-97K variants equipped with less-than-lethal systems such as tear gas launchers and water cannons for riot response duties.